Our water comes entirely from surface water sources – Sympson Lake and the Beech Fork River. An 8.8 square mile area of the Buffalo Creek watershed feeds Sympson Lake. A 669 square mile area extending upstream from Bardstown toward Chaplin, Springfield and Lebanon feeds the Beech Fork River Pumping Station. The sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over the surface of the land and through the ground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals, and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity.

To ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the U.S. EPA prescribes regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. FDA regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water that shall provide the same protection for public health.